Clash of Barcelona and Manchester United in a premature final
When the two heavyweights FC Barcelona and Manchester United clash, it sounds a lot more like the crucial knockout games in the Champions League and not the second round of the Europa League. After all, both teams played against each other in the Champions League final in 2009 and 2011 - each time with the better end for the Blaugrana. Even today at Barcelona against Manchester United, the tip on the Catalans is a little more likely.
After all, FC Barcelona is the absolute measure of all things in their own stadium. In La Liga, 26 out of a possible 30 points have been collected at home, with just one goal conceded in ten home games in total. In general, the Blaugrana kept a clean sheet in 16 of the 21 league games of the 2022/23 season, which is an important value for the forecast at Barcelona against Manchester United.
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The Red Devils arrive in good form, having only lost one of their last 17 competitive games (14 wins, two draws). However, given that Manchester United have lost their last four meetings with FC Barcelona, combined with the Catalans' unbelievable strength at home, it just makes the most sense to bet on the Blaugrana winning the first leg.
In any case, it is clear that the team that will be ahead in this intermediate round after the first and second leg and will move into the round of 16 will also be a hot candidate in the Europa League.
Barcelona analysis
FC Barcelona dug deep into their pockets last summer and took a big financial risk to significantly strengthen the team and put it back together so that it can play for the big titles.
While in La Liga everything is in the green with eleven points ahead of arch-rivals Real Madrid, the Champions League group stage was again completely disappointing for the Blaugrana, who finished only third behind Bayern and Inter Milan and were relegated to the Europa League Intermediate round.
In any case, it is clear that the team that will be ahead in this intermediate round after the first and second leg and will move into the round of 16 will also be a hot candidate in the Europa League.
Now it's up to Xavi's squad to make the best of the situation and at least play a major role in the Europa League, where last season the big favorite lost the remarkable quarter-finals against eventual overall winners Eintracht Frankfurt.
Overall, the Catalans have clearly lost their home strength at international level. Barcelona have lost five of their last eleven competitive European games in front of their own fans (two wins, four draws). That's the same number of defeats as in the 101 international home games before that.
At least at national level, the home strength of the Xavi-Elf has been fully restored. In La Liga, Barca have conceded 26 points out of a possible 30 from ten home games in which they have conceded just one goal out of 22 goals (a league-high).
In 16 of the 21 league games, the Blaugrana have kept a clean sheet so far, which is why the betting odds at Barcelona against Manchester United turn in the direction of the Spaniards, who recently won eight competitive games in a row for the first time since October 2017.
Manchester United analysis
Manchester United finished sixth in the Premier League table last season and once again had to make do with participating in the Europa League, which the Red Devils won once before in 2016/17.
Here, Erik ten Hag's squad promptly lost the first group game against Real Sociedad at home 0-1 as part of a not too smooth start to the season, but were then able to redeem themselves with five wins in a row and secure second place in Group E. For the first time since the 1965/66 season, the English record champions could now win six international competitive games in a row.
United have an extremely difficult task ahead of them, especially since they have never won away from the Camp Nou in five guest appearances (two draws, three defeats). However, it is not completely impossible that Barcelona against Manchester United will win the English record champions.
After all, the selection of Erik ten Hag comes to Catalonia in good form. The Red Devils have lost just one of their last 17 competitive games in all competitions (14 wins, two draws) - a narrow 2-3 at current league leaders Arsenal FC.
In the Premier League away table, the English record champions even occupy second place behind the Gunners, although four of the five league games lost are due to away games. Also striking: In the distance, the Red Devils have already conceded 20 goals in twelve games, making them the sixth-worst away defense in the Premier League.
With a view to the fact that in this important first leg with the Catalans, who are strong at home and defensively, defender and world champion Lisandro Martínez now also has to serve out a yellow card suspension from the group phase, it should be extremely complicated for United to keep a clean slate at the Spotify Camp Nou .
Barcelona - Manchester United: What to expect?
The two teams have met a total of 13 times so far and the Blaugrana lead the direct comparison with six wins. Barcelona have won their last four straight competitive games against Manchester United and could become the first team since Liverpool (2000-2002) to win five straight competitive games against the Red Devils.
At Barcelona vs Manchester United, the odds are tipping in the direction of the home side, who, while disappointing in the Champions League group stage and losing five of their last 11 home games internationally , have been more defensive than ever at national level at the Spotify Camp Nou. The Red Devils have only lost one of their last 17 competitive games. However, after eight competitive wins in a row, the Blaugrana also have a lot of momentum to throw into the balance.
- Barcelona to win
* All odds and markets are correct at time of publication and subject to change.